Pile Of Dirt Blocking Jet Engine Plant

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- A huge pile of dirt is standing in the way of a new jet engine plant in Lafayette.

The Journal & Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/1jowVp5) that the 10-foot-deep pile covers an area of about a half-dozen football fields.

The dirt is left over from previous construction near the site at the industrial park where GE Aviation intends to build a 225,000-square-foot plant. GE Aviation announced in March it plans to assemble an engine developed by CFM International, a joint company of GE and Snecma of France, at the site.

Officials in the central Indiana city this week agreed to pay more than $1.5 million to an Indianapolis construction company to remove the 145,000 cubic yards of soil.